Cost guide
How much does loft boarding cost?
Loft boarding costs £30 to £60 per square metre for a raised deck that keeps the insulation intact, plus £250 to £450 for a ladder and hatch. A typical semi comes to £600 to £1,400 all in.
Typical prices
Ranges, not quotes. A quote depends on your room.
| Work | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Raised loft boarding, per m² | £30 to £60 |
| Direct-to-joist boarding, per m² (only where insulation is shallow) | £20 to £35 |
| Loft ladder and hatch, fitted | £250 to £450 |
| Enlarging an existing hatch | £200 to £400 |
| Loft light and switch | £80 to £150 |
A raised deck costs more than boarding straight onto the joists because it keeps 270mm of insulation at its full depth, which is what keeps the heat in.
What moves the price
- Raised or direct. Raised boarding over legs costs more and is the only correct answer where insulation is deeper than the joists.
- Area boarded. Most people board a third to a half of the loft, not all of it.
- Hatch. Enlarging a 562mm hatch is common and adds £200 to £400.
- Access and roof type. A trussed roof means boarded bays rather than open deck, and takes longer.
- Lighting and a switch at the hatch.
What the money buys: raised loft boarding over insulation.
Who quotes for it
120 of the 1,142 carpenters and joiners listed on this site take on loft boarding.
Where most of them are based: Kingston upon Hull (4), Birmingham (3), Nottingham (3), Bolton (3), Watford (3).
Questions about loft boarding
Do I need building regulations approval?
Not for boarding out for storage. You do the moment it becomes a room, which brings in floor strength, escape routes, fire protection and head height.
Can I board a loft with trusses?
Partially. Trussed roofs have webs criss-crossing the space, so you get boarded bays rather than an open deck, and the webs must never be cut.